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Maren “Mary” Christensen Swinson

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Maren “Mary” Christensen Swinson

Birth	:	11 Sep 1876
Death	:	23 Feb 1979
Burial	:	Presho Cemetery, Presho, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate	:	43.9108658, -100.0631256
Description	:	Mary Swinson Celebrates 100th Birthday on September 11, 1976 Over 100 relatives and friends signed the guestbook Saturday, September 11, when Mary Swinson, Presho Pioneer, celebrated her 100th birthday in America's bicentennial year. An open house was held for this native of Dakota Territory in the dining hall of Community Bailey Nursing Home where she has resided for the last nine years. Event was hosted by her six children and families. They were Hilmer and Susie Lillebo who oberved their 50th wedding anniversary, April 4, in the bicentennial year, Edwin Lillebo, Parnell and Ardie Swinson, Presho; Alvin and Minnie (Swinson) Anderson, Marvin and... Read More	Mary Swinson Celebrates 100th Birthday on September 11, 1976 Over 100 relatives and friends signed the guestbook Saturday, September 11, when Mary Swinson, Presho Pioneer, celebrated her 100th birthday in America's bicentennial year. An open house was held for this native of Dakota Territory in the dining hall of Community Bailey Nursing Home where she has resided for the last nine years. Event was hosted by her six children and families. They were Hilmer and Susie Lillebo who oberved their 50th wedding anniversary, April 4, in the bicentennial year, Edwin Lillebo, Parnell and Ardie Swinson, Presho; Alvin and Minnie (Swinson) Anderson, Marvin and Pearle (Swinson) Carson, Huron, and Edward and Thelma (Swinson) Cross, Webster. The Rev. John Jacoway, Presho, pastor of the United Methodist Church of which the honoree is a member, gave the blessing, a prayer and read greetings. Among them were one from President Gerald R. Ford, another from the Ford family and one from U.S. Rep. James Abdnor, a native Lyman Countian. Susan (Carson) Hattel, Dubuque, IA, was diningroom hostess with Sharon (Cross) Schmidt, Webster, and Sherri Swinson, Pierre, dipping the punch and at the guestbook. Marion (Lillebo) Brakke was at the silver service while her sister Gloria (Lillebo) Leichtnam, Presho, and Shelli (Swinson) Ohlrogge, Woonsocket, cut and served the birthday cake. All are grand-daughters of Mrs. Swinson. Also assisting with the many arrangements was Mrs. Norma Dill, director of Community Bailey Nursing Home. Mrs. Swinson's longevity can be attributed to her ambitious nature, assuming responsibility at an early age and being a loving parent. Today she is alert, enjoys reading, but has a hearing impairment. Mary Christensen was born to Mads and Elsie Mikalson Christensen September 11, 1876, near Baltic in Minnehaha County. Her parents came from Denmark two years earlier. At the age of seven she hired out as a mother's helper and became involved in herding neighbors' cattle. Thus began her lifelong interest in livestock. In 1895 she first came to Lyman County and subsequently worked at Fort Pierre two years. Returning to Baltic she married Joseph Lillebo. They had three sons. Following the death of her husband and one son, she was accompanied by the other two, Hilmer and Edwin, ages 5 and 3, to the Hilmoe community southwest of Presho where she homesteaded in 1905. A year later she married Peter M. Swinson, an adjoining homesteader. They continued to add more land to their ranch on which their five children were born. Deceased is Florence (Swinson) Gifford. In 1917 the family moved into Presho and operated the Swinson Dairy until Mr. Swinson's death in 1942. Mrs. Swinson has been a member of the Silver Leaf Chapter No. 96, Order of the Eastern Star, and holds a 50 years membership pin. She is also an honorary member of the United Methodist Women. Today this centenarian isn't as active as she once was, but plays kickball from her wheelchair. To keep her company as pictures on a wall of her room of her children, 16 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and five great, great, grandchildren. Among her relatives and friends from out of town present and not previously mentioned were Charles Leichtnam, Lynn Leland, Lesa, Les Leichtnam, Bertha Schultz, Veva Boe, Tom Huffman, Myrtle Jessop, Arlene Ambur, Paul and LaVerne Olson, Marie Busch, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin C. Lillebo, Dena and Holly, V. Dean Brakke and Marc, Linda Troy and Shane Lillebo, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cox, Carrie Feldhaus, Alice Hupp, Gene LaRoche, Presho; Bill and Evelyn Kuhrt, Murdo; Shelli and Rhonda Schmidt, Webster; Loren Leichtnam, Janet Williams, Pierre; Bertha Halverson, Kennebec; Alan L. Hattel, Dubuque, IA, Jane Olson, Brookings; Sister Theodora, Aberdeen; Janet Toupal, Lou Roth, Mabel Cummings, Jeannette Hempl, Kimball; Karen Tuschen, Salem; Dorothy Schulte, Oacoma; Ida Smith, Lydia Weller, Walt and Mabel Juhnek, Hilda Strum, Martha Bailey, Mrs. Jess Huffman, Mrs. Clara Erikson, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fosness, Vivian; Mr. and Mrs. Ole Hilmoe, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Murphy, Mary Whitney, Reliance; Evelyn Schulte, Oacoma; Mrs. Rosa Eble and Mrs. Nellie Allen, *************************************************************** Mary Swinson to Celebrate 100th Birthday on September 11, 1976 (Ed. Note - The following history feature of Mary Swinson was written by her granddaughter, Sandy Swinson-Kessler, Missoula, MT. A 1972 journalism major graduate of the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, Sandy was formerly women's editor on the Yankton Press and Dakotan prior to her marriage.) One hundred years ago Mads and Elsie Mikalson Christensen had a dream. They were newcomers to America from Denmark only two years before, and they were going to have a baby. Their dream was for that child to be healthy...for that child to become a responsible, intelligent and hard-working person...for that child to become a loving parent. On September 11, 1876, Maren (Mary) Christensen was born in Dakota Territory in what is now Lyon Township, Minnehaha County, near Baltic, SD. Today Mary Christensen Lillebo Swinson has certainly fulfilled that dream. To celebrate Mrs. Swinson's 100th birthday in America's bicentenial year, her six living children, 16 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren invite you to join them at an open house in her honor. Hours are from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, September 11, in the dining room of the Community Bailey Nursing Home in Chamberlain where she has resided since May of 1972 (1967?). The family requests no gifts, please, however Mrs. Swinson would enjoy receiving cards and letters. Responsibility came early to this centenarian early in those days during the growing frontier country of South Dakota, and Mary Christensen hired out as a mother's helper at the age of seven. In addition to caring for the children of her neighbors, she also became involved in helping them herd their cattle. In 1895 she went west for the first time, driving a lumber wagon to Lyman County with her brother-in-law, Gilbert Hilmoe, who was driving 90 head of Holstein cattle to winter pasture because of a dry spell in Minnehaha County. (Yes, they had them then too!) Mary worked for two years in Fort Pierre before returning to Baltic and marrying Joseph Lillebo. After the death of her husband and an infant son, Mary once again crossed the Missouri River to take up a homestead in Lyman County. She was accompanied by her two sons, Hilmer and Edwin Lillebo, ages five and three. Their claim shanty was in Sioux Township where the Swinson ranch is still located. Ed and Hilmer remember that there was hardly a quarter without a claim shack on it, and that area south of Presho, known as the Hilmoe community, was booming. Peter M. Swinson was homesteading next door to Mary Lillebo and in January of 1906 they were married. At first the four lived in Mr. Swinson's log cabin, but in 1908 they moved into their new farm home (The current farm house.) This pioneer woman had all the modern conveniences necessary to care for her growing family of four daughters and a son: Minnie (Mrs. Alvin Anderson), Huron; Thelma (Mrs. Edward Cross), Webster; Pearle (Mrs. Marvin Carson), Huron; Florence (Mrs. Doyle Gifford), deceased, and Parnell ("Pete"), Presho. Ice cut from the dam during the winter months was packed in sawdust to cool the icebox and provide treats of homemade ice cream during the summer. Mrs. Swinson cooked year round on a coal-wood burning stove, although corn cobs and cow chips were also used. The family enjoyed the luxury of their summer kitchen which was apart from the house. The daughters tell that the convenience their mother enjoyed most was t the neighborhood telephone system. Thelma says that none of the kids understood Norwegian and Mary always carried on her phone conversations in that language. "Dad and ¬¬¬¬_____always talked in English around the house except when they didn't want us to know what they were talking about. "Mom always seemed to prefer working outdoors caring for the livestock--cows and chickens--and as a result we girls learned very early how to cook and wash dishes. She really gave our dairy cows tender loving care." Thelma added, The girls do admit that her bread was the best they have ever eaten, but her husband and grandchildren were most impressed by her sugar cookies. In 1917 the family moved into Presho so Mr. Swinson could retire. After one year of leisure, he turned the family milk supply into a business and was soon milking 30 dairy cows and delivering milk about town in a horse-drawn milk wagon. Mr. Swinson died in 1942 and the business was sold in the same year. Mary continued living with her son, Ed, in the Presho home he still occupies. In 1967 she moved to the Community Bailey Nursing Home Chamberlain, where she resides today. For never having been out of South Dakota until she was in her late 70s, this centenarian really enjoyed traveling and her favorite transportation was by plane. One day her husband and Hilmer wrecked Ed's plane on the way to pick up her up for a ride. "Was she angry," Pete said, "she wanted that ride!" Ed also tells of the time she wanted to fly to Huron. "Hilmer said he would fly her, but that it was so rough no one would want to fly. She said she "wasn't scared." Even trips to Sioux Falls by car were fun for her. With Pete's new 1933 Ford V-8, the trip only took four hours or so what once used to be an all-day ride. Her husband told the children. "Mom was so surprised when we got there so fast." Her first journey out of state was by car with daughter Minnie and husband Alvin. One year they went to the East Coast and another year to the West Coast. Mrs. Swinson was in her 70s at that time. Among her many activities, Mrs. Swinson has been a member of the Silver Leaf Chapter No 96, Order of the Eastern Star, Presho, for 65 years and together with the late Mrs. F. M. Newman, were the first to receive their 50-year membership pins in 1960. She is a member of the Presho United Methodist Church and an honorary member of the United Methodist Women. During World War II Mrs. Swinson practically wore out her needles knitting sweaters, and her quilts and embroidered pillowcases can still be found in her children's and grandchildren's homes. And what of the dream for good health? No one lives to be 100 without it. At the age of 80 Mrs. Swinson moved a refrigerator from her kitchen to the porch, but in younger years she could toss as heavy a load on a pitchfork as anyone. Today she plays kickball from a wheelchair for therapy, is an avid reader and enjoys visits with longtime friends and neighbors and her ever growing family. Happy Birthday, Grandma! Lyman County Herald Thursday, September 2, 1976

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Maren “Mary” Christensen Swinson's memorial?
Maren “Mary” Christensen Swinson's memorial is located at: Presho Cemetery, Presho, Lyman County, USA.
When did Maren “Mary” Christensen Swinson death?
Maren “Mary” Christensen Swinson death on 23 Feb 1979 in
Where are the coordinates of the Maren “Mary” Christensen Swinson's memorial?
Latitude: 43.9108658
Longitude: -100.0631256

Family Members:

Parent

Mads Christian Christensen

(1847 - 1917)

Elsie Mikkelsdatter Neilsen Christensen

(1849 - 1941)

Spouse

Peter M. Swinson

(1862 - 1942)

Siblings

Christiana "Christine" Christensen Lubean

(1875 - 1954)

Nels Christensen

(1878 - 1959)

Children

Hilmer Melvin Lillebo

(1898 - 1981)

Edwin Martin Lillebo

(1900 - 1997)

Thelma Evelyn Swinson Cross

(1909 - 1997)

Florence May Swinson Gifford

(1911 - 1953)

Pearle Elsie Swinson Carson

(1914 - 1977)

Pete Swinson

(1916 - 2017)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Presho Cemetery
Presho, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9108658, -100.0631256

2. Holy Angels Cemetery
Presho, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8911018, -100.0643997

3. Medicine Creek Cemetery
Presho, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9053001, -100.0952988

4. Earling Cemetery
Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9206009, -99.9143982

5. Vivian Cemetery
Vivian, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9233017, -100.2652969

6. Saint Michaels Cemetery
Kennebec, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9057999, -99.8431015

7. Kennebec Cemetery
Kennebec, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9047012, -99.8427963

8. Hillsdale Cemetery
Kennebec, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9056015, -99.8424988

9. Prairie View Cemetery
Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7891998, -99.9032974

10. Hilmoe Cemetery
Presho, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7510986, -100.1793976

11. Holy Faith Cemetery
Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1356010, -99.9878006

12. Vera Cemetery
Draper, Jones County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8504130, -100.3753260

13. Trinity Cemetery
Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8513985, -99.6860962

14. Huffunugs Cemetery
Reliance, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8254500, -99.6836800

15. Red Hill Cemetery
Hamill, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7066994, -99.7830963

16. Saint Catherine Cemetery
Wood, Mellette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6666370, -100.2805800

17. Saint Georges Cemetery
Badnation, Mellette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6633000, -100.2917000

18. Rosebud Cemetery
Mellette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6632996, -100.2917023

19. Messiah Episcopal Cemetery
Lower Brule, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1011800, -99.7380800

20. Ascension Cemetery
Canning, Hughes County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1523700, -99.7927100

21. Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery
Reliance, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8931007, -99.6046982

22. Reliance Cemetery
Reliance, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8918991, -99.6042023

23. Koenig Cemetery
Ideal, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6367000, -99.7786200

24. Draper Cemetery
Draper, Jones County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9322014, -100.5475006